Low Dioxin and Asbestos Levels in Georgia's Drinking Water

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is researching the presence of asbestos and dioxin in Georgia's drinking water. The results of the research will be included in vulnerability assessments to determine public water system (PWS) eligibility for dioxin and asbestos monitoring waivers.

PWSs that have asbestos pipe in their distribution system and "high risk" dioxin water sources are included in a drinking water sampling program. At present, 204 samples throughout Georgia have been analyzed for their asbestos content and 44 from Coastal Georgia for their dioxin content. All tested PWSs are in compliance with the EPA maximum contaminant levels for asbestos and dioxin indicating that treated drinking water does not harbor unsafe amounts of dioxin and asbestos, at this time.

Future asbestos drinking water testing will include raw water analysis to see if asbestos poses a threat to untreated drinking water. Future dioxin testing will focus on the metro Atlanta, Augusta, Macon and Albany areas.